The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-08-25
THE STORY OF "NANCY FAT."
lIow II. II. Elliott Tried to Make n Social Queen
OF Her and Failed.


The Now York Werald says: Not long
since there was brief notice announcing
the death of Mrs General II. b. Elliott"
wife of the late negro congressman who, a
few years ago, took such an active part in
South Carolina politics. Possibly no wo.
man OF the present century has experienced
such sudden change from Indulgence to
opulcncc or has risen SO quickly in the So
clal scale. She was owned by family in
Columbia, S. &. Her name was Nancy,
but on account Of her plump figure she
bore the suggestive aNpcIlation Of Nancy
rat. She was an aluiablc, humble creature.
Happy and indolcnt, with no ambition or
pride of character, she was as cont2ntcd
Whllc engaged at the most mcnial toll and
urudgery, as when, arrayCd in fantastic
and gaudy attire she danced as belle of the
shuckings. During the period of Rcpubli-
can rule, Elliott while in Columbia was
one afternoon driving behind his splendid
pair OF bays. lie was dressed in his usual
style of black MOadcloth and lavender kid
gloves At the corner of one Of the streets
hc saw Il picture that proved to be the key
10 his destiny. 1t was Nancy Fat" She
had just drawn Il bucket of water from the
pump and ii was balanced on her (Urijaned
head, the crystal drops tricklng down her
brown face and neck, and she laughed
good naturcdly. Her nGirts were tucked
high, and there was a generous display Of
bare feet and ankles. The effect was in
stantancous, and the congressman in fjroad-
cloth was hOpelcssly infatuated with the
merry, ignorant water carrier The result
was speedy courtship and marriage. The
transformation was wonderful! rs it was
sudden. From the washtub and the cook
ing stove she became mistress of magnifi.
cent home on one Of The fashionable streets
or Columbia. Elliott was Il man of brilliant
intellect and unboundcd ambition. lie
was one of the leading spirits of the Rcpub
can party, and was regarded as one Of the
most intelligent negroes who was ever
known in the South. lie was from Boston,
Mass, he was finished scholar and a sue
cessful lawyer. His alliance with the TN
tutorcd Nancy caused general surprise,
Yet she was received 10y his friends with
courtesy and kindness. One day [ was
passing her house in company with her
former mistress, when we csDicd q simht
that was drOll and amusing. Beside n
marble fountain surrounded by rare cXotics
sat Mrs. Elliott. She was arraycd in a
costume OF most extreme elegance. PccD-
ng beneath her skirts Of amber satin we
plainly saw her bare brown feet. AS she
saw us She QilcHiy tucked them under her
skirts, and exclaimed good naturedly:
Now, old missis, don't laugh at yoHr
nigger; you know | never did like shoes.
If the General saw me he would scoId, b,t
every chance ] get just slip them off All
this fincry can't make me forget the happv
days when | was plain Nancy Fat. and
now L am Mrs. General CONGRESSMAN
Elliott" Much amused VIC passed on, and
lett her with her bare feet in the damp sand
OF the fountain. A few years later Mrs.
Elliott became prominent feature in the
republican society of the State, and also
inquired ,conspicuously in Washington. II
was during General Grants administration
az one Of the balls that she caused such
sensation on account of the devoted attcn.
IONS she received from certain prominent
Wnltc politicians who wished to make con.
3iP!GuouS their approval of the social equal
ity law The brilliant negro congressman
Is dead; And only few days ago the wo
man whom he cndcavorcd to elevate by all
That wealth and power could do died in
poverty and ohscurity. >'o' ~